TOP 12 best smart speakers: rating 2021-2022 and what is the best to choose with Alice for your home

A smart speaker is not just a small speaker for playing music, but a device equipped with a mini-computer.

Therefore, you should choose such a helper according to many parameters at once.

We have studied the results of sales and inquiries for 2021-2022 and are ready to tell you about the best models.

This required an analysis of information from manufacturers and customer reviews.

Rating TOP 12 best smart speakers for 2021-2022

This ranking includes the best smart speakers that have received the most positive feedback from users and experts.

How to choose a smart speaker?

If you have decided to buy a smart speaker, then when choosing this little helper be sure to study the points described below:

• Power method. If you need a mobile gadget, then choose a model that can work on battery power. However, users note that at the moment it is faster and more accurate those speakers that work from the network.
• Number of speakers and their power. The larger the room in which the speaker will operate, the more speakers you will need. Now there are models with 1 to 6 speakers on the market.
• Voice assistant. Russian voice commands are understood only by domestic products. So if you are not strong in English, and it is voice control is most important to you - refuse foreign samples.
• Microphones. They take the command and there should be a few of them. Proved by experience that the model with a single microphone is more often mistaken.
• Compatibility. The speaker should match the smart home ecosystem you use.

Top 5 best smart speakers with Alice

Yandex.Station.

At the very beginning of the ranking it is impossible not to mention the most popular smart speaker from Yandex. It is the best similar device that can be offered to the user in 2021-2022. The company is constantly improving its design, taking into account the comments and wishes of customers.

The power cord is disconnected from the speaker, so you can put it anywhere in your house, move it from room to room or take it to the balcony.

Voice assistant will recommend music based on your previous questions, turn on your favorite song, tell you about the weather, find an answer to a question on the Internet, read a story, and if you use the HDMI connector, it will show you a video at one of the possible sites: Kinopoisk, Yandex.Ether, YouTube.

Main features:

• Voice assistant - Alice.
• Language - Russian.
• Ecosystem - Smart home from Yandex.
• Works from the network and battery.
• Power (total) - 50 W.
• Frequency range - from 50 Hz to 20 kHz.

Yandex.Station Mini

How does the little sister differ from the older one? Smaller size and the lack of an HDMI connector, designed to work with video content.

Otherwise, the developers have retained all the basic functions. That is, the mini version will set the timer, tell you about the weather or look for a delicious recipe for dinner, turn on music and add your favorite song to Favorites. It will also analyze your taste and select the most interesting single for you on an abstract request.

Interestingly, the station can be controlled not only by voice, but also by gestures. and if you activate the function with the command "Alice, give sound", you can use gestures to play a tune, as on a thermo-vox.

The microphone is very sensitive, it picks up the voice well and recognizes commands. Well and chatting with the owner is also very fond of.

The main characteristics:

• Voice Assistant - Alice.
• Language - Russian.
• Ecosystem - Smart House from Yandex.
• Works from the network.
• Power (total) - 3 W.
• Frequency range - 20 Hz-20 kHz.

JBL Link Portable with Alice

What makes this device from JBL special is that the speaker is something of a hybrid.

It can work over Wi-Fi as a smart assistant and remote control of the smart home ecosystem, or become a regular portable speaker for relaxing in nature with friends. In this case, it is connected to a smartphone via Bluetooth.

As mentioned, it's not just a device to play music, the speaker works with Google Assistant or Alice. It's also water-resistant and not afraid of rain, splashes and dust. If you compare it with competitors, it is one of the best options among hybrids in terms of price and functionality.

In the package you will find a charging station (up to 8 hours of battery life). The sound is deep, with well-developed bass, and the sound waves spread out to 360 degrees.

Key features:

• The voice assistant is Alice.
• Language - Russian.
• Ecosystem - Yandex Smart House.
• Works from a battery.
• Power (total) - 20 W.
• Frequency range - 65-20 000 Hz.

LG Xboom AI ThinQ WK7Y

When surveying users about their smart speakers, many named this model from LG. Xboom AI ThinQ WK7Y - is the result of several years of development and experimentation.

Qualitatively assembled housing made of excellent materials, a balanced system, high quality sound. It also understands Russian speech and is friendly with Yandex. It can become the control center of a smart home, controlling the operation of other devices or spoil you with music and entertain you with humorous chit-chat with a sarcastic Alice.

The speaker has very sensitive microphones, so it easily recognizes your voice, even if the room is quite noisy. But with the placement of the speakers the developers missed a little - they are not placed in a circle and so you have to spend some time to find the perfect place for a good sound.

The main features:

• Voice assistant - Alice.
• Language - Russian.
• Ecosystem - Smart home from Yandex.
• Works from the network.
• Power (total) - 30 W.

Prestigio Smartmate Lighthouse Edition

Affordable, very nice-looking smart speaker from this firm rightfully takes a place in our rating smart speakers due to the quality sound and work both on battery power (within 8-9 hours, depending on volume), and from the network.

In addition comes a smart remote that adapts the owner's voice commands to the TV or split system through a powerful and advanced IR port.

It is the perfect home assistant to play your favorite music, turn on a child's audio story, or answer a stream of children's questions. All you need to do is activate the "Beacon to Kids" function and pass the control to your baby.

Voice control of connected home appliances is also available. For example, you will be able to activate the robot vacuum cleaner, light the night light or add temperature to the air conditioner.

Key features:

• Voice assistant - Alice.
• Language - Russian.
• Ecosystem - Smart home from Yandex.
• Works from the network and battery.
• Power (total) - 6 W.
• Frequency range - 180 Hz - 16 kHz.

Top 2 best smart speakers with Marussia

Mail.ru Group Capsule.

At some point Mail.ru wanted to make a mark among the smart speakers and did not want to work with Alice. Then the developers came up with their own voice assistant and named it Marusya.

The resulting speaker looks quite original, elongated shape, with a glowing ring in the center. By this lighting you can see how many tasks Marousie has at the moment and how attentively she listens to the owner's question. However, the brightness level cannot be adjusted yet.

Management is done via voice or the touchpad. At the same time, the commands are recognized well, without any problems. But the voice of a person, if there is extraneous noise, the young Marousia does not yet catch it clearly enough.

By the way, if the speaker is gently stroked, it starts purring. Such a cute touch has delighted many users. At the moment, the speaker does not have a connection to foreign and Russian music platforms and plays music only on the basis of a paid subscription to Vkontakte. By the way, with the purchase the company gives three months of use of this service.

The main features:

• Voice assistant - Mail.ru Marusya.
• Language - Russian.
• Ecosystem - Smart home from Mail.ru.
• Works from the network.
• Power (total) - 30 W.
• Frequency range - 50-20 000 Hz.

Prestigio Smartvoice

Compact and lightweight (just over 170 grams) smart speaker with Marusya voice assistant. Receives commands by voice, 4 microphones quickly pick up the owner's voice. There is also a remote control on the top cover.

The sound is quite clear, without interference even at maximum volume, with a pronounced bass. Quickly finds the network signal and keeps it at the same level, so the work of the speaker is almost uninterrupted.

At the same time, the gadget is connected to both Wi-Fi and Bluetooth, which means it can be considered a hybrid and perform the role of a regular portable speaker connected to a smartphone.

Key features:

• Voice assistant - Marusya.
• Language - Russian.
• Ecosystem - Smart Home.
• Works from the network.
• Power (total) - 5 W.
• Frequency range - 180 Hz-18 kHz.

Top 5 best smart speakers by price/quality ratio

Apple HomePod

One of the most popular smart speakers in 2021-2022 was the model from Apple. Experts and users in all in one voice put high marks for the quality of sound.

The sound is deep and volumetric, the voices of performers are not distorted and sound naturally, and the bass is excellent. Therefore, it can be strongly recommended to all music lovers.

Another advantage of this model is that it is very easy to connect and configure. Siri instantly learns to recognize the voice of the device owner and picks it out even from the farthest corner of the room.

But you could not do without disadvantages. The fact is that the speaker is only able to work with native brand services, and they have much less features than the same Google Assistant.

Key features:

• Voice assistant - Apple Siri.
• Language - English.
• Works from the mains.
• Power (total) - 40 W.
• The frequency range from 60 to 20 thousand Hz.

Harman/Kardon Citation One.

One of the most inexpensive smart speaker models from this company for 2021-2022. It is controlled by Google Assistant voice commands, and communication is supported via Bluetooth and Wi-Fi wireless channels.

Music lovers note that the sound of the speaker is at a decent level, clear, quite loud and voluminous. At the same time, the bass is deep and the high notes really ring.

After connecting the speaker to the network, you can immediately start working with it. Google Assistant instantly detects the device, asks for your Wi-Fi password, and then asks for a little practice. To do this, you only need to chat a little with the new occupant of your home, so it learns to recognize your voice and understand the commands.

It's nice to have access to a large number of music venues that work with this assistant.

Key features:

• Voice Assistant - Google Assistant.
• Language - English.
• Powered by - battery.
• Power (total) - 40 W.
• Frequency range - from 40 to 20 000 Hz.

Xiaomi Mi AI Mini Speaker

Sometimes it seems that the developers of the brand sit in a meeting and approach the expansion of the range like this: "We'll do more and better, and we won't ask for much money."

This is a very reliable, quality assembled gadget with terrific volume levels and six microphones that instantly pick up the owner's voice. It instantly connects to other brand gadgets, and can be controlled through an app on your phone. And the price is much lower than similar competitors.

But there is still a problem. The speaker is not suitable for the Russian market, because it only recognizes the Chinese language.

But surprisingly, the demand for it is very high precisely because of the possibility of control through the phone. Because the sound quality and volume really deserve respect.

Key features:

1. Voice assistant - Xiaomi Smart Assistant.
2. Language - Chinese.
3. Ecosystem - Xiaomi.
4. Powered by the network.
5. Power (total) - 5 watts.
6. Frequency range - from 60 to 18 thousand Hz.

Google Nest Mini (2nd gen)

Another representative of the small and budget smart speaker. However, the compact size has not affected its functionality. Do not affect its functionality.

If you have the Google Home ecosystem connected, this baby will quickly connect to the interface and manage all the devices you need for your household. In addition, the speaker can work with a huge number of streaming audio platforms.

The sound is very clear and deep, worked out at all frequencies. The speaker will find the right song on the Internet or a necessary audiobook in the library. There is LED backlighting, setup takes just a few minutes. Works with various models of smartphones and computers.

Main features:

• Voice Assistant - Google Assistant.
• Language - English.
• Ecosystem - Google Home.
• Works from - from the network.
• Power (total) - 5 W.
• The range of frequencies - from 50 Hz to 20 thousand Hz.

Amazon Echo Dot 3rd Gen

This is the third version of the smart speaker from this company. The model was released in 2019 and for some time was in the shadows and did not even appear in Russian stores. Before that, the gadget could only be ordered on foreign sites of online stores.

In fact, it is a very compact speaker, which, if necessary, you can even put in a deep pocket. Its weight does not exceed 300 grams. The small size had an impact on the power of the device, so the developers have installed only one stereo speaker, but as many as four microphones. The sound quality is very good, as well as the volume.

It quickly responds to voice commands, can work in a smart home system and control connected devices. Also at the top of the speaker is a small panel with buttons. Or you can download a special app to your smartphone.

The main features are:

• Voice assistant - Amazon Alexa.
• Language - English.
• Works from - from the mains.
• Power (total) - 1.2 W.
• Frequency range - from 20 Hz to 20,000 kHz.

Which voice assistant is better?

If we talk about features in general, the best voice assistant is Google Assistant.

But for full voice control without knowledge of English, it is better to choose a smart speaker with a native representative - Alice or Marusya. By the way, the latter can even purr.

Customer Reviews

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Comparison of domestic smart speakers with Alice: